After reading all of the comments about pick pockets and muggings in Barcelona, I'm a little worried and would like to know what kinds of clothes my boyfriend and I should wear during our trip in August so as not to look like tourists?

Military uniforms. They'll never suspect you're tourists.

In my case, I concluded years ago that there is nothing I can do to hide my natiional identity. You might confuse the crooks if you speak fluent Spanish, look like the locals, and wear clothes from Spanish stores. Or, at least don't wear the normal tourist garb.<BR>(e.g. a baseball cap, knit shirts from<BR>Ralph Lauren, etc.)<BR><BR>In my case, I give myself away as soon as I say anything. Also, I have been identified as American by my shoes and also by my luggage. (Rockports and Samsonite.)<BR><BR>My wife has a similar problem. For example, on a trail in Switzerland, another hiker walked by us at a good pace and said in English "Your pack is unfastened."<BR><BR>How did he know to use English? <BR><BR>Clerks and restaurant personnel automatically speak English to her, and to me as well. (Except in Paris.) They don't ask; they just do it if they know any English at all. <BR><BR>So I don't know. That art of identify concealment eludes me, even in Germany and Austria. I speak and understand some German, but when I say a sentence in German, the answer usually comes back in English. <BR><BR>No disguising the accent.<BR>

Weat casual clothing and hold your purse close to your body with small straps not over the shoulder type bags. Don't walk anywhere where it is dark and at any time where there are not crowds of people. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, and avoid buses if you can. Don't put anything in back pockets and don't fall for the distraction game--one distracts one steals. Use good common sense and you should be o.k. We travel with a digital camera that fits into my purse or my husband's pocket. We lock our suitcases when we leave the room with anything we would not want stolen. This is a legitimate question. In fact if you approach a questionable group of people or you feel uncomfortable, don't talk at all and they won't know where you're from. Otherwise learn some words of other languages--German, French or Italian and use that to converse when in the above situation. Don't look meek and try to avoid opening maps when outside--print out notes and directions on a piece of paper that you can read when needed. Don't wear jewelry other than an inexpensive watch. Just use Common Sense!

Wear casual clothing and always use a waist money belt. We had trouble with our ATM Card so be sure to bring travelers checks and if necessary go to an American Express Office and exchange.

I am fortunately to have medium coloring, curly brown hair, am single, female, 48. I often travel solo~ so am not heard speaking (a conversation in overly loud American/English is a dead giveaway). I dress somewhat unusual (my normal style~ not especially for traveling) in stripes, animial prints, layers, mismatched but fashionable clothing. Wear a black bra, and let the straps show (very european). I have good shoes or strap sandals, not walking shoes or sneakers. I carry a nice leather pocketbook, sometimes along with a bag from the local grocery store if I need more room... never a backpack or fanny pack.<BR><BR>This strategy obviously is not for everyone, BUT I can tell you, people do not usually speak to me in English first (as mentioned by a poster above), nor have I ever been hassled in my travels. ;-)

If this is a troll, I'm a sucker.<BR><BR>If it's a real question, than the issue about crime is not your nationality or your clothes, but how you behave.<BR>Take normal city precautions: totebag over your shoulder close to your body, security wallet or belt if it makes you feel better (I don't use them, but many do), man's wallet in his front pocket, not the back pocket, avoid backpacks and fanny packs, they are vulnerable and make you look that way. Divide up your cash and cc cards between the two of you.<BR><BR>Leave your passports in the hotel safe, just carry photocopies with you.<BR><BR>Body language: figure out your route before you go, walk determinedly and stay aware of your surroundings. If you have to stop to look at a map, step out of the main flow of foot traffic, perferably into a shop or entryway. One of you can consult the map, the other stays alert. <BR><BR>If approached by adults OR children you don't know, no matter how innocent they look, walk away or shout something. If you ride a metro or bus, be especially aware of what your neighbors are doing and where their hands are, especially if it's crowded.<BR><BR>If you sit in a cafe inside or out, don't hang your bag on the back of your chair, keep it on your lap or under your feet.<BR><BR>If you collect packages, take some time and drop them off at the hotel so that you are not loaded down and distracted.<BR><BR>All of the above sounds very tense and guarded. Once you get used to it, it's just second nature and good sense, not paranoia.<BR><BR><BR><BR>

I laughed a lot reading this answers. . Believe me, Spain is not so unsafe as they say. People exagerate. The only thing you have to beweare is not to show your wealth by carrying your most beautiful jewels. I heard (by someone that knows somebody who knows somebody...) that somebody's earrings were pulled out of her ears while walking in the street. I've never went through that. So, go to Barcelona, be assured that it is a normal city and enjoy your stay.

I dont sink it is very European to let your bra straps show dhaling.

Real basic - Don't wear jeans or shorts, ever. Think dressy and you'll fit in.

Wear speedos

Just wear a lovely red flamenco dress wave around some castanets (sp?) & you'll fit right in! ;-)

Bob:<BR><BR>I do it all the time: whenever I have to say something to someone that looks foreigher I just start talking in English because he will probably speak English and not Italian. If he can't sp&egrave;eak English. I make another attempt in French or in Spanish, than I give up and start gesturing.

Isn't English the one language everyone has in common?